Control switch assembly for moving articles or the like



March 22, 1966 c. T. WALTERS CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY FOR MOVING ARTICLES OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 21, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 3

C/ayfon I Walters INVENTOR. Mafia.

March 22, 1966 c. T. WALTERS 3,242,278

CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY FOR MOVING ARTICLES OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 21, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIII I III/II 44 llllrllllllrl v w -J- C/ayfon I Walters l'l'll'll 50 INVENTOR. N

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CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY FOR MOVING ARTICLES OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 21, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 8

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& 58 \lo BY March 22, 1966 CONTROL SWITCH Filed Jan. 21, 1965 C. T. WALTERS ASSEMBLY FOR MOVING ARTICLES OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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BY WWW United States Patent 3,242,278 CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY FOR MOVING ARTICLES OR THE LIKE Clayton T. Walters, Corpus Christi, Tex., assignor to Clayton Specialties, Inc., a corporation of Texas Filed Jan. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 426,861 9 Claims. (Cl. 20061.41)

This invention relates to a control switch assembly adapted tobe actuated by continuously moving articles and more particularly to a novel switch actuating assembly through which automatic control is exercised over operations to be performed on continuously moving articles.

The switch actuating assembly of the present invention is especially designed for controlling operations such as the deposit of oil spray over baking pans being continuously moved along a conveyor. It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an actuating switch assembly which may be selectively conditioned for automatically controlling various operations performed by baking equipment through which baking pans of ditferent sizes and shapes pass. An additional object of the present invention is to provide a switch actuating assembly operated by contact with baking pans continuously moving thereover along a conveyor, the switch assembly being so arranged as to actuate a circuit controlling switch device when the proper portion of the baking pan passes the control station at which some operation is to performed such as the deposit of an oil spray.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the actuating switch assembly of the present invention features a pivotally mounted support continuously biased to an operative position in which the bottom portions of the baking pans cause actuation of the switch device, facilities being provided whereby the support is displaced to an inoperative position in order to prevent undesired actuation of the switch device by a low rim of the baking pan for example.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a switch actuating assembly in combination with continuously moving articles such as baking pans whereby switch actuation is restricted to the movement of such articles in proper alignment. Accordingly, in the case of baking pans, the deposit of oil may be restricted to the proper areas of the baking pan for either greasing the pans prior to deposit of the dough or subsequent to the deposit of dough in order to coat the dough with a layer of oil from which a brown crust is formed.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the actuating switch assembly of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the switch assembly shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the switch assembly.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view through the switch assembly taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 4-4 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 5-5 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 66 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of the switch assembly shown installed and in a position for receiving an approaching baking pan.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view similar to FIG- URE 7 but showing the switch assembly in a position when initially engaged by the baking pan.

FIGURE 9 is a partial side elevational view similar to FIGURE 8 but showing the switch actuator in a position engaged by the baking pan following the aforementioned initial engagement.

FIGURE 10 is a partial front sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 10 10 in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view of the switch actuating assembly in a position engaged by another type of baking pan.

FIGURE 12 is a bottom view of the switch assembly as shown in FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 13--13 in FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 14 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 14-14 in FIGURE 11.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and initially to FIGURES 1 through 4, it will be observed that the switch assembly of the present invention is generally referred to by reference numeral 10. The switch assembly is adapted to be mounted by a mounting plate member 12 provided adjacent one end with a mounting bolt 14 and a pair of aligning studs 16 on opposite sides thereof. The mounting plate member extends forwardly from the rear edge 18 toward a forwardly projecting portion 20 to which a spring device 22 is secured. As more clearly seen in FIGURE 4, the spring device includes a down-.

wardly extending tubular member 24 within which a spring element 26 is housed. The spring element encircles a guide rod 28 which projects below the bottom end of the tubular housing 24. A washer element 30 is held assembled adjacent the lower end of the guide rod 28 by a cotter pin 32 so as to limit upward displacement of the guide rod under the bias of the spring element. The upper end of the guide rod is therefore secured to an elongated supporting plate member 34 against which the upper end of the spring element bears. The supporting plate member 34 is therefore pivotally mounted on the mounting plate member 12 by means of a hinge 36 which pivotally connects the plate member 34 to a hinge plate 38 secured to the rear end portion of the mounting plate member 12 by means of the mounting bolt 14 and aligning studs 16. It will therefore be apparent, that the switch assembly may be secured in proper position with the mounting plate member 12 disposed parallel to the horizontal direction of movement of articles and with the supporting plate member 34 longitudinally aligned with the direction of movement.

The supporting plate member extends forwardly from the hinge 36 toward a downwardly curved forward portion 40. The supporting plate member is also substantially channel-shaped in cross-section including parallel side portions 42 and a bottom portion 44. Secured to the bottom portion 44 adjacent the sides 42 and intermediate the forward portion 40 and the rearwardly disposed hinge 36, are a pair of aligned journal brackets 46 providing facilities for pivotally mounting an article engaging ram-p element 48 about an axis disposed parallel to the fixed mounting axis established through the hinge 36. Also mounted below the plate member 12 by means of a pair of transversely spaced brackets 50 is a switch operating assembly 52 which projects upwardly through a rectangular opening 54 formed in the bottom portion 44 of the plate member 34. The switch operating assembly 52 is thereby operative to displace a spring contact arm 56 into operamember.

c9 tiveengagement with a microswitch device 58. Accordingly, the contact arm 56 is fixedly mounted below the plate member 12 by means of a pair of fastener assemblies 60 in proper spaced relation to the switch device 58. The switch device onthe other hand, is fixedly mounted in proper position below the plate member 12 by means of .a mounting bracket 62 secured to the bottom portion 44 ofthe plate member by suitable fastener assemblies such as the three rivets 64. I

The switch device 58 is positioned below the plate member 34 so that the electrical cable 66 may extend there from for controlling a circuit when the forwardly projecting switch button thereof is engaged by the adjustable contact screw 68 threadedly mounted adjacent the lower end of the contact arm 56. As more clearly seen in FIG- URES 4 through 6, the contact arm 56 is a spring element having an upper coiled end with lateral extensions secured by the fasteners 60 to the bottom portion 44 of the plate Accordingly, the contact arm is continuously biased-into engagement with a cam element 70 fixed to a cam shaft 72 supported between the transversely spaced brackets 50. The cam element 70 is disposed adjacent one of the brackets 50 spaced from the hub portion 74 of an upwardly extending contact lever 76 which projects through the opening 54in the plate member 34. The contact lever 76 is continuously urged upwardly by means of a coil spring 78 disposed axially between the hub portion 74 of the contact lever and one of the brackets 50, the coil spring being provided with axial ends respectively engaging the contact lever and the bracket 50. Extending laterally in opposite directions from the upper end of the contact lever, are a pair of article engaging projections 80 adapted to be engaged by the baking pans in order to actuate the switch device 58 as will be hereafter explained. A notch 82 is formed at the upper end of the contact lever 76 between the article engaging portions 80 as shown in FIGURE 3 in order to receive the forward end portion 88 of the ramp element 48 in its operative position. The ramp element is therefore provided with an engaging edge portion 86 upwardly exposed in the operative position of the ramp element for the purpose of engaging the bottom of an article before it engages the portions 80 of the switch operating assembly 52. Connected to the rearend of the ramp element 48, is a shaft portion 88 by means of which the ramp element is pivotally mounted between the brackets 46. It will therefore become apparent, that the ramp element in its operative position engages the bottom portion 44 of the plate member 34 causing it to be pivotally displaced against the bias of the spring device 22 in order to withdraw the switch operating assembly 52 from the path of movement of the articles which are otherwise engageable therewith. The ramp element 48 may also be displaced to an inoperative position disposed below the bottom portion 44 of the plate member as shown in FIGURES 11, 12 and 14. Accordingly, the bottom portion 44 of the plate member is provided with a slot 7 90 through which the ramp element is displaced toward its inoperative position with the laterally extending por tion 92 thereof engaging the bottom portion 44 of the plate member alongside of the slot.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 10, it will be observed that the switch assembly is installed between a pair of conveyor belts 94 and fixedly mounted therebelow so that it may be engaged by articles such as the baking pan 96 being continuously moved thereover by the conveyor belts. The mounting plate member 12 and hinge plate 38 are therefore clamped in position to any suitable supporting member 98 by means of a clamping knob 100. When installed, the supporting plate member 34 will be yieldably held in its operative position as shown in FIG- URE 7 with both the ramp element 48 and switch operat ing assembly 52 exposed above the plate member in the path of movement of the baking pan 96. In the form of baking pan illustrated in FIGURES 7 through 10, a plurality of cup portions 102 are provided, the bottoms 104 of which are held closely spaced above the conveyor belt inasmuch as the baking pan rests on the conveyor belt by means of a lower rim 106. Accordingly, as the baking pan approaches the switch assembly 10, the rim 106 initially engages the engaging edge portion 86 of the ramp element 48 as shown in FIGURE 8 in order to pivotally displace the plate member 34 from its operative position against the bias of the spring device 22. It will therefore be apparent, that the switch operating assembly 52 is withdrawn from the path of movement of the baking .pan in order to prevent actuation of the switch device 58 by the contact screw 68 adjacent the lower end of the contact arm 56. In this manner, the operation to be performed under control of the switch device 58, will be restricted to the cup portions 102 of the baking pan. When the baking pans are properly aligned on the conveyor belts 94, the ramp element 48 will be disposed between the cup portions 102 as shown in FIGURES 9 and 10 so that the bottoms 104 of the cup portions may engage the laterally extending portions of the contact lever 76 in order to effect actuation of the switch device 58 as aforementioned. Accordingly, the switch actuating device 10 will operate properly whether or not a baking pan is utilized which has a lower outer rim such as the rim 106 described in connection with the baking pan 96.

The switch actuating device may also be utilized in connection with other baking pans such as a low fiat baking pan 108 as shown in FIGURE 11. When so used, the ramp element 48 is displaced to its inoperative position as aforementioned, since the baking pan 106 has a flat continuous bottom. It will therefore be appreciated, that the switch device of the present invention may be selectively conditioned for use in connection with dif ferent types and shapes of baking pans.

The foregoing is. considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a conveyor adapted to move articles along a fixed path, a switch assembly mounted below said conveyor for controlling operations performed on said articles passing thereabove comprising, support means mounted for displacement about a fixed axis below the conveyor, a switch device fixedly mounted on said support means, actuating means movably mounted by the support means for actuating the switch device in response to engagement by the articles above the conveyor, means continuously biasing said support means to an operative position holding the actuating means in said fixed path of the articles for engagementtherewith, and article engaging means operatively mounted by the support means for displacement thereof to an inoperative position withdrawing the actuating means from said fixed path.

' 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises, a mounting member fixedly secured in parallel spaced relation 'to said fixed path, an elongated plate member pivotally connected to the mounting member about said fixed axisand extending forwardly therefrom in the direction of movement of the articles, said plate member having an opening forwardlyspaced from the article engaging means through which the actuating.

means projects upwardly into the path of the articles.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said actuating means comprises, a contact arm displaceably mounted below the plate member, cam means mounted by the plate member for displacement of the contact arm into engagement with the switch device, a contactv lever connected to said cam means and extending upwardly through said opening in the plate member, said contact lever having article engaging portions extending laterally therefrom above the plate member.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein :said article engaging means comprises, a ramp element having an engaging edge portion, means pivotally mounting said ramp element on the plate member for displacement between an operative position above the plate member and an inoperative position below the plate member, said contact lever having a notch between the article engaging portions thereof for receiving the ramp element in the operative position upwardly exposing the engaging edge portion, said plate member having a slot through which the ramp element is displaceable to the inoperative position.

5. The combination of claim '1 wherein said actuating means comprises, a contact arm displaceably mounted below the support means, cam means mounted by the support means for displacement of the contact arm into engagement with the switch device, a contact lever connected to said cam means and extending upwardly through said support means, said contact lever having article engaging portions extending laterally therefrom above the support means.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said article engaging means comprises, a ramp element having an engaging edge portion, means pivotally mounting said ramp element on the support means for displacement between an operative position above the support means and an inoperative position below the support means, said contact lever having a notch between the article engaging portions thereof for receiving the ramp element in the operative position upwardly exposing the engaging edge portion, said support means having a slot through which the ramp element is displaceable to the inoperative position.

7. In combination with a conveyor adapted to move articles along a fixed path, a switch assembly mounted below said conveyor for controlling operations performed on said articles passing thereabove comprising, support means mounted for displacement about a fixed axis below the conveyor, a switch device fixedly mounted on said support means, actuating means movably mounted by the support means for actuating the switch device, laterally extending means connected to the actuating means above the support means, means continuously biasing said support means to an operative position holding the laterally extending means in said fixed path of the articles for engagement therewith, and article engaging means opera tively mounted by the support means intermediate opposite ends of the laterally extending means for selective engagement by the articles to withdraw the support means from said operative position.

8. A switch assembly comprising, a mounting member, an elongated plate memberpivotally connected to the mounting member about a fixed axis, a switch device fixedly mounted on the plate member, means mounted on the mounting member for continuously biasing the plate member to an operative position, engaging means operatively mounted by the plate member for displacement thereof to .an inoperative position against the bias of said biasing means, a contact arm displaceably mounted below the plate member, cam means mounted by the plate member for displacement of the contact arm into engagement with the switch device, a contact lever connected to said cam means and extending upwardly through an opening in the plate member, said contact lever having article engaging portions extending laterally therefrom above the plate member.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said engaging means comprises, a ramp element having an engaging edge portion, means pivotally mounting said ramp element on the plate member for displacement between an operative position above the plate member and an in operative position below the plate member, said contact lever having a notch between the article engaging portions thereof for receiving the ramp element in the operative position upwardly exposing the engaging edge portion, said plate member having a slot through which the ramp element is displaceable to the inoperative position.

No references cited.

iBERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. B. DOBECK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A CONVEYOR ADAPTED TO MOVE ARTICLES ALONG A FIXED PATH, A SWITCH ASSEMBLY MOUNTED BELOW SAID CONVEYOR FOR CONTROLLING OPERATIONS PERFORMED ON SAID ARTICLES PASSING THEREABOVE COMPRISING, SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTED FOR DISPLACEMENT ABOUT A FIXED AXIS BELOW THE CONVEYOR, A SWITCH DEVICE FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS, ACTUATING MEANS MOVABLE MOUNTED BY THE SUPPORT MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE SWITCH DEVICE IN RESPONSE TO ENGAGEMENT BY THE ARTICLES ABOVE THE CONVEYOR, MEANS CONTINUOUSLY BIASING SAID SUPPORT MEANS TO AN OPERATIVE POSITION HOLDING THE ACTUATING MEANS IN SAID FIXED PATH OF THE ARTICLES FOR ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, AND ARTICLE ENGAGING MEANS OPERATIVELY MOUNTED BY THE SUPPORT MEANS FOR DISPLACEMENT THEREOF TO AN INOPERATIVE POSITION WITHDRAWING THE ACTUATING MEANS FROM SAID FIXED PATH. 